Tourist Numbers Surging in Papua New Guinea

PORT MORESBY - After performing well last year, international visitor arrivals to Papua New Guinea continue to do well in 2013.

In the first half of the year, there was an increase of 8% in international arrivals to the country compared to last year.

Healthy growth was seen from the holiday and employment sectors. Holiday had a notable growth of almost 15% and employment a near 20% growth compared to 2012.

Holiday arrivals from all of PNG’s source markets recorded healthy growth in the first half of 2013, and the trend is expected to continue in the following months as trekking and diving seasons already started in the country.

Many cultural festivals and a number of big cruise ships scheduled to visit the country in the remaining months will further boost growth for the holiday sector, as the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority in partnership with its industry partners continue to promote the destination and market its unique tourism products under the tagline “A MiLLiON DiFFERENT JOURNEYS” [IslandBUsiness]